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☆ How NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman led the league out of crisis to revive women's soccer
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Jessica Berman, commissioner of the National Women’s Soccer League, speaks during a panel on women's professional soccer at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on Feb. 10, 2024. In 2019, Berman became the first female deputy commissioner of a men's professional sports league, joining the National Lacrosse League. Taking the fieldBerman took the helm at the women's soccer league after allegations were made of emotional abuse and sexual misconduct across several teams. She also brought the first-ever million-dollar prize pool to U.S. women's soccer. She's also lured big-name investors, selling them on her new vision for professional women's soccer.

Persons: Jessica Berman, Omar Vega, Berman, Gary Bettman, Sally Yates, Yates, She's, lister Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Patrick Mahomes, Eli Manning, Kevin Durant, Carli Lloyd, Sofia Huerta, Delanie Sheehan, Ben Nichols, Sportico Organizations: National Women’s Soccer League, Hilton Anatole, Getty, New, National Women's Soccer League, CNBC, National Hockey League, NHL, National Lacrosse League, U.S, Chicago Red Stars, Portland Thorns, Hollywood, Seattle, NY Gotham FC, Women's Soccer League, Snapdragon, Amazon, Angel City FC Locations: Dallas, New York City, NJ, San Diego, Angeles

☆ Spring Training at Coachella: Can the M.L.S. Cash In on Its Preseason?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Ken Belson | Alex Welsh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Dan Perkin and Scott Bissmeyer, work buddies on vacation, sat on metal bleachers watching the Portland Timbers play the San Jose Earthquakes in the first of four preseason Major League Soccer games that day. Self-described “M.L.S. road trippers,” they have visited numerous M.L.S. stadiums, and have watched teams in Tucson, Ariz., where as many as 11 clubs came together for preseason training in the past. teams — along with two from the United Soccer League and four from the National Women’s Soccer League — gathered at a 1,000-acre property outside Palm Springs, Calif., for preseason training, Mr. Perkin and Mr. Bissmeyer decided to check it out.

Persons: Dan Perkin, Scott Bissmeyer, Perkin, Bissmeyer Organizations: Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League, National Women’s Soccer League — Locations: ”, Tucson, Ariz, Palm Springs, Calif

☆ Racheal Kundananji: Bay FC signs Zambian soccer star for reported $787,000 world record fee
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Bay FC, the newest team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has made an ambitious statement of intent ahead of the upcoming season by signing Zambian international Racheal Kundananji. “I want to give the [Bay FC] fans what they want – to enjoy the games, to enjoy seeing me playing and scoring.”Kundananji joins Bay FC from Spanish side Madrid CFF for a reported world record fee of €735,000 (around $787,000), according to multiple reports including ESPN. CNN has contacted Bay FC, Madrid CFF and the NWSL regarding the transfer fee. The contract runs through the 2027 season with an option for an additional year in 2028, Bay FC said. “We are delighted to add Racheal to our group,” Bay FC general manager Lucy Rushton said in a press release from the club.

Persons: Kundananji, ” Kundananji, Lucy Rushton, Diego Souto, Asisat Oshoala, Jen Beattie, Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, Aly Wagner Organizations: CNN — Bay FC, National Women’s Soccer League, Zambian, “, BBC Sport Africa, FC, Bay FC, Madrid CFF, ESPN, CNN, Real Madrid, Liga F, Spain’s Liga, San, Spanish, Costa, US Women’s National, Sixth Locations: “ People, Zambia, Bay, Spanish, Scottish, San Jose, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica

The National Women's Soccer League is looking to add a 16th team, Commissioner Jessica Berman announced Friday. Gotham FC plays OL Reign for the league title on Saturday night. Political Cartoons View All 1240 ImagesBerman said ticket sales to NWSL games grew 36% this season and average attendance at games was up 26 percent. Last month, OL Reign attracted a record NWSL crowd of 34,130 to Lumen Field in Seattle for Megan Rapinoe's farewell match. The sale of both OL Reign and the Portland Thorns is progressing, with deals expected to be announced by the end of this year, Berman said.

Persons: Jessica Berman, “, ” Berman, Berman, Lumen, Megan Rapinoe's, we've, ___ Organizations: Women's Soccer League, Utah Royals, Bay FC, Gotham FC, ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime, Scripps Sports, San Diego Wave, CBS, Portland Locations: Northern California, Boston, U.S, Seattle

The National Women's Soccer League on Thursday announced a new media rights deal that will feature the league's matches on ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime Video and Scripps Sports. “We’re resetting the standards by which women’s sports can be valued.”The league's current deal with CBS Sports ends at the end of this season. Political Cartoons View All 1239 ImagesStarting next season, a Friday night game on Prime Video will kick off each weekend. The remaining regular season games will be part of a domestic direct-to-consumer package produced and distributed by the NWSL, the league said. In the playoffs, Prime Video and a CBS platform will each broadcast a quarterfinal each, while ESPN/ABC airs the other two.

Persons: ”, Jessica Berman, “ We're, ” Sean McManus, Berman, Megan Rapinoe's, Lumen, Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, ___ Organizations: Women's Soccer League, ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime, Scripps Sports, Gotham FC, CBS, Scripps, ION, Paramount, CBS Sports Network, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, Endeavor, NHL, NFL, Utah Royals, Bay FC, U.S . Locations: San Diego, Seattle, Gotham

☆ Tiger Woods and US sporting royalty set to tee off high-tech indoor golf league
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Staged in partnership with the PGA Tour, the televised indoor golf league – the TGL – is the brainchild of TMRW Sports, a company co-founded by Woods and Rory McIlroy, and will feature 15 of the world’s current top 20-ranked men’s players. Here’s everything you need to know about the competition before it tees off on January 9. Meanwhile TGL New York is led by New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen and his family office, Cohen Private Ventures. How to watchThe first two-hour match will air on ESPN and ESPN+ from 9 p.m. ET (1 a.m. GMT) on Tuesday January 9, with the second match aired a week later at 7 p.m.

Persons: Woods, Steph Curry, Williams, Rory McIlroy, TGL, ” Woods, “, –, TGL Who’s, Justin Thomas, Arhthur, Blank, McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick, Max Homa, Wyndham Clark, Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, Brian Harman, Richard Heathcote, Tom Kim, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Cam Young, Keegan Bradley, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler, Thomas, Sahith Theegala, Lucas Glover, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, Billy Horschel, Kevin Kisner, Serena, Venus Williams, Alexis Ohanian, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Alex Morgan, Michelle Wie, Marc Lasry’s, Curry, Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson, Steven A, Cohen Organizations: CNN, PGA Tour, TMRW Sports, NBA, NFL, Premier League, Palm Beach State College, Atlanta, GC, The Home Depot, MLS, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, TGL, ESPN, Fenway Sports Group, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins, NASCAR’s RFK Racing, English Premier League football club Liverpool . Los, Reddit, National Women’s Soccer League, Angel City FC, Women’s National, Sports Fund, Golden State Warriors, New York Mets, Private Ventures, ABC Locations: Florida, American, Palm, LAGC, TGL New York

☆ Julie Ertz to play in final US women’s national team match against South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

ET Thursday will see the two-time Women’s World Cup winner and two-time Olympian earn her 123rd and final cap for the US. She announced her retirement last month, adding that she made the decision “with immense emotion and processing.”Ertz controls the ball against Sweden in what would be her final Women's World Cup match. Jenna Watson/USA TODAY Sports/ReutersErtz, 31, was an integral member of the US teams which won the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019. She represented the US women’s team on 122 occasions, losing just five matches and scoring 20 goals during her 10-year international career. Ertz, pictured as the US celebrates its victory over the Netherlands at the 2019 Women's World Cup final, was an integral member of the US teams which won women's soccer's showpiece event in 2015 and 2019.

Persons: Julie Ertz, Jenna Watson, Reuters Ertz, Richard Heathcote, Ertz, “ There’s, Momma can’t, Momma, ” Ertz, Madden, Twila Kilgore, Ertz’s Organizations: CNN, US, National, TQL, Sweden, USA, Reuters, Getty, Chicago Red Stars, US Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, Angel City, Interim, “ Locations: South Africa, Cincinnati, Netherlands, Angel, Australia, New Zealand, Interim US

☆ Julie Ertz: US soccer great announces retirement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Two-time Women’s World Cup winner Julie Ertz, one of the greats of US soccer, has announced her retirement from the sport. Ertz, 31, was an integral member of the US teams which won the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019. She made her senior international debut in 2013 and went on to play in 17 World Cup matches, winning 13 of those. I hope that I was able to leave an impact that reflects that.”Ertz celebrates winning the 2015 Women's World Cup. 8) celebrates with teammates afer winning the 2019 Women's World Cup.

Persons: Julie Ertz, Ertz, I’ve, ” Ertz, Mo Khursheed, “, I’ll, Madden, afer, Richard Heathcote, Angel City, ” Organizations: CNN, National Women’s, US, National Team, Chicago Red Stars, US Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, Angel City, Getty, Angel Locations: France, Angel, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden

☆ Megan Rapinoe to play in one last US national team match before retirement
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US Women’s National Team (USWNT) star Megan Rapinoe, a two-time Women’s World Cup winner, will play one more international match before she retires from the game. With 63 career goals and 73 assists for the US women’s side, Rapinoe – an Olympic gold medalist from London 2012 – ranks in the top 10 for both categories in US women’s history. Following her final World Cup appearance this year in Australia and New Zealand, Rapinoe has returned to her National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, the OL Reign, for the remainder of the season. Megan Rapinoe lifts the trophy as the US celebrates victory in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. In her domestic career, she won the French league title and French Cup with Lyon in the 2012/13 season and has won three NWSL Shields with the Seattle Reign and OL Reign.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, –, Rapinoe, Richard Heathcote, ” Rapinoe, “ It’s, ”, Carli Lloyd, Bill de Blasio, Jill Ellis, Jewel Samad, USWNT, Kate Markgraf, Féminin, Shields Organizations: CNN, US Women’s National, US Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, US, FIFA, Getty, Lyon, Seattle Locations: South Africa, Chicago, London, Australia, New Zealand, New York City, New York, AFP

CNN —The soccer world has rallied behind Jenni Hermoso, leaving Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales looking increasingly isolated as the pressure builds on him a week after his unwanted kiss on the Spain star at the Women’s World Cup final last Sunday. It was a week ago that Rubiales kissed Hermoso after the player had collected her winners’ medal, an incident seen by millions of viewers around the world. It was a visual representation of the global solidarity which has marked women’s soccer this week. San Diego Wave shows support for Jenni Hermoso. That solidarity extended into men’s soccer too with Cadiz and Sevilla both showing their support for Hermoso at their respective matches on Saturday, while Spanish soccer icons Xavi and Iniesta voiced their disapproval of Rubiales’ behavior.

Persons: Jenni Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Andrés Iniesta, Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, ” Vilda, Hermoso, Spain’s, Vilda, ” Hermoso, “, ”, Jenni ’, Jennifer Hermoso ”, Houston Dash, Contigo Jenni, Jenni, Alex Morgan –, Nathan Ray Seebeck, La, Iniesta, Somos Jenni, Yolanda Díaz, Jennifer Hermoso, Fran Santiago, Xavi Organizations: CNN, Spanish, Spain, FIFA, Hermoso, Milan, Atletico Madrid, Houston, National Women’s Soccer League, KS, Orlando Pride, San Diego Wave, Diego Wave, USA, Sports, Reuters, Sevilla, Getty Locations: Spain, Spanish, ”, Madrid, La Roja’s, Cadiz, Barcelona

☆ Tori Penso: ‘Being a mother has made me frankly a better referee,’ says US referee officiating at Women’s World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jaide Timm-Garcia | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Tori Penso watched the 2019 Women’s World Cup at home with her eight-month-old daughter in her arms. Four years and countless professional matches later, Penso will proudly walk onto the pitch with Australia and England to referee the semifinal match of the Women’s World Cup at Sydney’s Stadium Australia on Wednesday. Two years after that, Penso was selected by soccer’s world governing boy FIFA as one of six American referees to go to Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. “If you told me six years ago that I would be here talking to you about to head to New Zealand and Australia for the Women’s World Cup I would have said no way,” she said. Her selection for the Women’s World Cup, once her main goal, is now a stepping stone along her journey to the top of the women’s and men’s game.

Persons: CNN — Tori Penso, Penso, wouldn’t, ” Penso, couldn’t, ”, “, there’s, Sakina, Sarah Reed, ’, she’s, disallows, William West, I’m Organizations: CNN, Sydney’s, Australia, Major League Soccer, FIFA, ”, MLS, National Women’s Soccer League, Getty Locations: Australia, England, New Zealand, Florida, Portland, New York, Morocco, France, Germany, Melbourne, AFP

☆ Megan Rapinoe says it has been an ‘honor’ to play for the US as she bids goodbye to national team
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Megan Rapinoe said it has been an “honor” to play for the United States after making her fourth and final appearance at a Women’s World Cup. Before the tournament, the 38-year-old announced that this would be her final year as a professional soccer player and she now returns to her National Women’s Soccer League team, OL Reign, for the remainder of the season. Rapinoe (center) celebrates with teammates after facing Wales before the start of the World Cup. In 2022, she became the first soccer player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Speaking to Fox Sports after the defeat against Sweden, Rapinoe called it a “sick joke” and “dark comedy” that the US had dominated much of the game before being knocked out in cruel fashion on penalties.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, ”, Rapinoe, ” Rapinoe, John Hefti, Féminin – Organizations: CNN, Sweden, National Women’s Soccer League, Instagram, Wales, USA, Network, Reuters, Fox Sports Locations: United States, ”

Megan Rapinoe reacts to missing during the penalty kick shootout. The US soccer icon announced she would retire at the end of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, meaning this could be her final match for the US national team. Rapinoe came on as a second-half substitute against Sweden but failed to score her penalty in the shootout. "She’s going to leave a legacy and we’re going to continue to grow as feminine soccer players and I think it’s great." It was a sentiment echoed by fellow fan Tina Lordanou, who was watching from the same bar.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Brad Smith, Rapinoe, I’ve, Gia Díaz, Tina Lordanou Organizations: USSF, Getty, Women’s Soccer League, US, Sweden Locations: New York

☆ For Megan Rapinoe, an Ending Not Even She Could Have Imagined
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Jeré Longman | More About Jeré Longman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It ended in the most excruciating way for Megan Rapinoe: a penalty kick skied over the crossbar, shock, disappointment, a rueful smile to herself. Rapinoe could not remember the last time she missed a penalty kick. It was her penalty kick that provided the decisive goal in the final of the 2019 World Cup. There is more soccer to play for Rapinoe, a National Women’s Soccer League championship to chase in Seattle with the OL Reign. The light of Rapinoe’s renowned and polarizing career as a player and activist has now gone into shadow on the World Cup stage, where she played her best and emphatically spoke her mind.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, “ It’s, ” Rapinoe, Rapinoe Organizations: Sweden, Rapinoe, Women’s Soccer League Locations: United States, Melbourne, Australia, Seattle

☆ A New Era of Soccer Moms Navigates a Rapidly Changing Game
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Juliet Macur | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Julie Ertz was on the clock. On one sunny morning in May, Ertz, a defender for the United States women’s soccer team, rolled out of bed early to dress and feed her infant son, Madden, and pack him for a trip. Then she scrambled to collect her soccer gear and headed off to a meeting with her club team, which was followed by several hours of practice. As Ertz, 31, described this crazy schedule and her daily challenges juggling roles as a soccer star and a first-time mother, her eyes filled with tears. “I didn’t know if I’d be back,” she said of returning to soccer only months after Madden’s birth, in hopes of playing in her third Women’s World Cup.

Persons: Julie Ertz, Madden, Ertz, Ertz’s, Zach Ertz, Julie, Zach, I’d, ”, “ Organizations: United, soccer, Phoenix, Arizona Cardinals, National Women’s Soccer League, Angel City F.C, Madden Locations: Ertz, United States, Los Angeles, East Coast

☆ Sam Kerr: the superstar carrying Australia’s hopes on her shoulders
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Even as a 15-year-old, Sam Kerr had the weight of a nation on her shoulders. Fast forward to 2023 and Kerr is one of best players in the game and a global star. Kerr has had to wait longer than expected for the honor at this tournament having been forced to miss Australia’s opening two games because of injury. But a surprise defeat to Nigeria in the Matildas’ second group game have left their hopes hanging by a thread. Kerr takes a selfie as she celebrates with her Chelsea teammates after winning the Women's FA Cup in 2022.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Kerr, Alyssa Mautz, ”, Tony Gustavsson, Don Arnold, Tony, it’s, I’m, ’ Kerr, Daniel, Bobby Despotovski, “, ” Despotovski, Nicola Williams, ” Williams, Williams, Mautz, ” Mautz, she’s freakin, ” Kerr, Ryan Pierse, Western New York Flash, Rich Barnes, Vanessa DiBernado, Vanessa, ‘, ’ ”, …, swag, Michael Regan, –, Eddie Keogh, she’s, She’s, soccer’s Organizations: CNN, Australia, Perth Glory, Chicago Red Stars, National Women’s Soccer League, FIFA, reining Olympic, Canada, coy, Sydney Opera House, Getty, Reuters, West Coast Eagles, Australian Football League, Glory, AFL, CNN Sport, Western New York, Sky Blue FC –, NY Gotham FC, Western New York Flash, Perth, Sky Blue, Chelsea, Super League, Red, League, – Chelsea, EA Sports Locations: Canberra, Italy, Australia, Brisbane, New Zealand, South Korea, Nigeria, Western Australia, Chelsea, NJ, Rochester , New York, Perth, Illinois, –, Chicago, London

☆ Savannah DeMelo’s World Cup Trial by Fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Andrew Das | More About Andrew Das | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Savannah DeMelo said the reality that she was playing for the United States in the Women’s World Cup finally hit her as the fans in the stadium counted down the final 10 seconds before her first match. She only started to get truly comfortable, though, once people starting kicking her. Those were just a bit of welcome familiarity for DeMelo, one of the most fouled players in the National Women’s Soccer League. “I’m used to getting kicked,” DeMelo said. DeMelo, after all, had never played a game for the United States before she was named to the World Cup roster last month.

Persons: Savannah DeMelo, “ I’m, ” DeMelo Organizations: National Women’s Soccer League, U.S . Locations: United States

☆ USWNT: How the US became women’s soccer’s dominant force
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

Anson Dorrance knew he was a pioneer during his eight years as head coach of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT). Any understanding of how and why the USWNT is women’s soccer’s dominant force, a four-time Women’s World Cup winner and favorite to win the next edition currently taking place in Australia and New Zealand, must start with Dorrance, the groundbreaker and the bricklayer. Five years later, the first Women’s World Cup was held in China – not that it was initially labelled a World Cup as world governing body FIFA worried it might not be a success. A third-placed finish followed at the 1995 Women’s World Cup, and then came the Atlanta Olympics a year later. The success of 1999 would lead to the world’s first professional women’s soccer league, the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA).

Persons: CNN —, ”, Anson Dorrance, “ You’re, Dorrance, –, “, Michelle Akers, ” Akers, Mike Ryan, ’, Akers, IX, I’m, ” Dorrance, “ There’s, Lori Lindsey, Lauren Cheney, Darryl Dyck, George Bush, Barry Thumma, didn’t, ” Caitlin Murray, Murray, David Cannon, Billie Jean King, “ We’ve, Lindsay, USWNT, Harry, Brandi Chastain’s, “ We’re, ” Brandi Chastain, Robert Beck, Chastain, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy et, Megan Rapinoe, they’re, it’s, ” Rapinoe, Richard Heathcote, Lindsey, Becky Sauerbrunn, Rapinoe, Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, Taylor Swift Organizations: CNN, US, National, CNN Sport, Dorrance, men’s, University of North, Coaches, FIFA, America, Soccer, Federal, Olympic, Canada, American, High School, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Guatemala, CONCACAF, Canadian Press, Central, USA, “ National, Atlanta Olympics, Getty, US Soccer, revelled, China, Rose, Women’s United Soccer Association, National Women’s Soccer League, “ 99ers, Tokyo, England Locations: Australia, New Zealand, University of North Carolina, Italy, Seattle, Irish, United States, England, Brazil, Central Florida, China, Norway, New York, Hamm

☆ Megan Rapinoe: USWNT star says US has ‘weaponized’ women’s sports against trans people, and is ‘trying to legislate away people’s full humanity’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

And now on the eve of her final Women’s World Cup, Rapinoe has taken aim at recent policies that aim to ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports. “We as a country are trying to legislate away people’s full humanity,” she told Time magazine in an interview. In recent months, transgender women’s participation in a number of sports has been prohibited with the introduction of new regulations. The House bill would prohibit transgender women and girls from playing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. “I see trans women as real women.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, ”, “, It’s, Biden, ” Rapinoe, Dave Chappelle, Chappelle, Laurence Griffiths, ’ Organizations: CNN, US, National, Women’s Soccer League, Athletics, WA, U.S . House, Republican, Democratic, White, GOP, IX, ”, Tokyo Locations: WA, “

CNN —US Women’s National Team star Megan Rapinoe, a two-time Women’s World Cup winner, has announced she will retire at the end of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. Rapinoe, an Olympic gold medalist from London 2012, will play in her fourth and final World Cup this summer in Australia and New Zealand, before returning to her NWSL team OL Reign. To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season and go out on my own terms is incredibly special.”Megan Rapinoe has won two World Cup and Olympic gold with the USWNT. In her domestic career, Rapinoe won the French league title and French Cup with Lyon in the 2012-2013 season and has won three NWSL Shields with the Seattle Reign and OL Reign. “When you talk about players performing on the biggest stages, she’s right up there with the best to ever do it for the US Women’s National Team.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, “ I’ve, ” Rapinoe, “, we’ve, Brad Smith, ”, Cooper, Shields, “ Megan, Kate Markgraf, Vlatko Andonovski, Andonovski, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, US Women’s National, Women’s Soccer League, Wales, National Team, US Soccer, Ballon, Lyon, Seattle, US, National Locations: Australia, New Zealand, United States

After 17 years on the national team and nearly as many years speaking out to support various issues including L.G.B.T.Q. rights, equal pay, the Black Lives Matter movement and voter rights, Rapinoe will play in her fourth Women’s World Cup and her final season in the National Women’s Soccer League and will end her career at the top of her sport. Perhaps nothing exemplified her ability to perform under pressure more than when she scored twice in a quarterfinal against France at the 2019 World Cup. The Americans went on to win that world title, their second in a row. Her six goals at that World Cup helped her earn the Golden Boot as the top scorer and the Golden Ball as the top player.

Persons: Rapinoe, Donald J, Trump, Megan, ” Organizations: National Women’s Soccer League, France, Twitter, Trump White, WIN, Ballon, FIFA Locations: United States

☆ She’s Calling It: ‘That Moment’ for Women’s Soccer Is Now.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Talya Minsberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In March 2022, she purchased the Washington Spirit, becoming the first woman of color to own a controlling stake in a National Women’s Soccer League team. Just a year later, she is now set to become the first woman to own and lead a multiteam soccer organization, which will encompass both the Spirit and the French club Olympique Lyonnais. The all-stock deal, which is expected to close in late June, will create a new independent entity under Ms. Kang as majority owner. She is already talking of adding more teams from around the world. Players and staff had endured a “horrific situation,” she said of abuse allegations, including accusations that the coach of the team she owned had fostered a toxic workplace culture for female employees.

Persons: Steve Baldwin, Kang, ” Organizations: Washington Spirit, Women’s Soccer League, French, Olympique Lyonnais, Trust, Washington

☆ Serena and Venus Williams invest in golf with franchise ownership in Tiger Woods' new competition
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Now, Serena and Venus Williams are turning their talents to golf. A head-spinning week of revelations in the golf world continued Thursday as the Williams sisters’ Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC) were announced as the first franchise of the TGL – Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s tech-infused stadium golf competition set to launch in January 2024. LAGC is the first of six franchises set to compete in the TGL, a competition formed in partnership with the PGA Tour. TGL/TwitterOn Twitter, Ohanian announced that his and Williams’ daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., would be a co-owner in LAGC. Twelve PGA Tour players have been confirmed to feature, including Woods, McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, and Collin Morikawa.

Persons: Serena, Venus Williams, Williams, Woods, Rory McIlroy’s, Alexis Ohanian, Mike McCarley, Ohanian, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr, “, Amy E, Price, ”, LIV Golf, McIlroy, Mike Ehrmann, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa Organizations: CNN, Angeles Golf, Ohanian, National Women’s Soccer League, Angel City FC, LAGC, PGA Tour, Twitter, Olympia, TMRW Sports Locations: Ohanian, Angeles, LAGC, Saudi, Palm Beach , Florida

CNN —A string of sports games and practices have been postponed as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to choke the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast parts of the United States. Around 75 million people are under air quality alerts as wildfire smoke shrouds major US cities, with Major League Baseball (MLB), the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) forced to postpone games due to concerns over dangerous air quality. Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies warms up at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday. Following consultation with the NWSL Medical and Operations staff, it was determined that the match could not be safely conducted based on the projected air quality index,” the NWSL said in a statement. Smoke from Canada’s fires has periodically affected the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic for more than a week, raising concerns over the harms of persistent poor air quality.

Persons: Zack Wheeler, Mitchell Leff Organizations: CNN, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Women’s Soccer League, MLB, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Yankee, WNBA, New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx, New York Racing Association, NWSL, Operations, Phillies, Tigers, Yankees, White Sox, Belmont Locations: Northeast, United States, Belmont, New York, New Jersey, Harrison, Canada, Alberta, Elmont , New York

☆ Second U.S. Women’s Pro Soccer League to Launch in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Rachel Bachman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The 11-year-old National Women’s Soccer League has enjoyed a recent growth spurt after years of business challenges and scandal. Now it has another challenge: competition from an upcoming women’s professional league. United Soccer League, an organization that operates soccer leagues at several levels of the sport, announced plans Tuesday to launch a women’s professional circuit called the USL Super League.

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